Marc Cucurella is absent from Chelsea's squad against Brentford due to an injury that will keep him out in the "short term", according to Frank Lampard. The Spanish defender has been replaced by Ben Chilwell, who returns from being suspended for the Champions League clash against Real Madrid.
The former Brighton star can be added to a growing list of players that Lampard cannot pick from with Mason Mount and Reece James likely out for the season while Kai Havertz misses the match with the Bees as he continues to deal with a knee injury. Kalidou Koulibaly also remains out.
As a result, Raheem Sterling and Cesar Azpilicueta have also returned to Chelsea's starting lineup. Noni Madueke makes a first matchday squad under Lampard.
READ MORE : Confirmed Chelsea lineup vs Brentford as Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell start, Madueke benched
Lampard said ahead of the game: "We've had some issues. We've lost Mason, no we've lost Cucurella in the short term as well, so we've been working on how we want to play against Brentford.
"They're a really effective and difficult team to play against. We've been broaching that one and trying to boost the confidence of the players because we're in a tough moment, and we've had tough games since I've been in. Hopefully we will see the reaction today."
Lampard has chosen a line up similar to that which faced Real Madrid, with a number of central midfielders set to press high up the pitch. The Blues boss hopes his side can sustain attacks better.
He explained: "It's not just about N'Golo, it's about the whole team getting higher up the pitch and getting into dangerous areas and staying there so we can sustain attacks better and have numbers in and around the box."
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